The mission of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging works to improve and expand new and innovative approaches to the delivery of services that enable older adults to live in the community with independence and dignity through grantmaking and increasing society’s awareness to influence public policy.

The New Jersey Foundation for Aging was founded in 1998 to improve the quality of life of New Jersey’s older residents. This is achieved through four objectives:

¨    To support the creation and enhancement of innovative services in
New Jersey through fundraising, grantmaking and convening
public-private partnerships.

¨    To conduct public policy forums and research around issues relating to aging and educate key stakeholders and decision makers on recommendations for change.

¨    To educate professionals throughout the state on the latest issues and best
practices in providing services and engaging older persons.

¨    To enhance public awareness of aging issues and ways to age well in New Jersey.

This commitment supports the older persons of today and envisions ways to assist and engage the baby boomers that are tomorrow’s seniors.

The Foundation is a nongovernmental 501.c.3 nonprofit that derives its support for programs and operations from single donors, public and private foundations and corporate support.  Financial contributions from all levels are highly valued.

The Community Grant Program

The Community Grant Program began in the year 2000 and over its history has provided 32 grants to programs throughout the state of New Jersey.  Non-profit organizations in local communities are invited to participate in the grant application process which is an open, competitive process. 

The Community Grant Program provides support to programs which are considered innovative in meeting the needs of older persons or inspiring older person in local communities.  Innovation is defined as a new program or new growth of an existing program. Examples may include a new service

designed to address an existing issue, a new model of delivering services, or a new intervention for a newly identified problem.  Here the definition is broad as innovation in one community of New Jersey may differ from another community.

A challenge match is required and described in the outline for proposal located below.  The match is intended to encourage applicants to connect with the public and private sectors of local communities and to encourage sustainability of funded initiatives. Letters of commitment of challenge funding or of intent to fund are requested.

Applicants are asked to obtain a letter of support from the Executive Director of the county Area Agency on Aging. This will help to inform the aging network about the project and will also help the applicant become aware of services in their community.

Priorities for Grant Program

The funding priorities of the Foundation include the provision of new and innovative approaches to basic services for home and community based care or new approaches to engaging older persons in the community. In 2010, special consideration will be given to programs that highlight the important role of both food and transportation security.  In particular, the opportunities that link seniors groups to community gardening and healthy food programs, and innovative transportation programs that improve the access for seniors to public and community transportation, like travel training. Nutrition and transportation are vital to aging well in New Jersey. Senior connections to community gardening and travel instruction provide more than just food or a ride, they link seniors to their communities. 

More important than any one isolated service, however, is the interplay and integration of the services in an effective combination to keep older adults as independent as possible and integrated in our communities for as long as possible. The latter affects the quality of life issues for individuals of all ages living in the community.

Please click on link at top of page for application information.